Page 13 - Workshop on Reimagining Disaster Risk Reduction

Workshop on “Reimagining Disaster Risk Reduction: The Role
of Standardization and Innovative Technologies”

warning systems. A standardized approach to disaster management is deemed essential for
improving preparedness and response capabilities, thereby reducing the impact of disasters
on populations and economies4.

This presentation highlighted several international frameworks and initiatives, including the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and the ITU-T Common Alerting
Protocol (CAP). Challenges in implementing these systems include the need for compatibility
with existing technologies and ensuring last-mile reachability. C-DOT has introduced also
various innovative technologies such as AI, GIS-based early warning systems, and mobile
applications to enhance disaster response and resilience.

C-DOT has been focussing on several initiatives, including:
• C-DOT Satellite Wi-Fi: Provides connectivity for disaster management and relief efforts.
• Cell Broadcast Service: Enables mass alerting in near real-time, crucial for rapid onset
disasters.
• Automatic Priority Call Routing: Ensures crucial communication during network congestion.

C-DOT's efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the UN WSIS 2024
"Champion" Award for its mobile-enabled disaster resilience project and the Aegis Graham
Bell Award for innovation in technology for social good.

Session 2: Frontiers in Tech – Battling Drought and Desertification
Key discussions included:

• Tech solutions for drought resilience: IoT, satellite imaging, and remote sensing as tools
for monitoring soil moisture and improving water resource management.
• Standardization for climate resilience: How international standards can create interoperable
systems that address desertification in vulnerable regions.
• Innovative solutions in agriculture: Leveraging AI and smart farming technologies to
combat desertification and ensure food security.

Moderator for the Session:
• Apoorva Bose, Programme Coordinator, G20 Initiative Coordination Office UNCCD

Key panelists included:

• Nidish Nair, Partner, PwC

Through this presentation, Nidish Nair (PwC) highlighted how drought and desertification
predominantly affect developing countries in arid and semi-arid regions, exacerbated by harsh
climates and limited resources. Over the past 50 years, extreme droughts have surged by 233%
in certain areas, with projections indicating that desertification could displace over 135 million
people by 2045. The economic repercussions are significant, with dry shocks reducing global
GDP per capita growth by an average of 0.47%.

In India, the annual cost of desertification is approximately Rs. 3177 billion, accounting for 2.5%
of the GDP and 15.9% of the gross value added from agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors.
Notably, 28 out of 31 states in India have experienced increased desertification between 2018
and 2019, affecting around 600 million people facing high to extreme water stress. The adverse
effects of drought and desertification are particularly pronounced in agriculture, which is the

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